(19)

(11)

EP 1 064 420 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/01 (21) Application number: 99911800.3 (22) Date of filing: 15.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: D04B 1/14 (86) International application number: PCT/EP9901/765 (87) International publication number: WO 9947/738 (23.09.1999 Gazette 1999/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE ES FI FR GB IT LU SE (30) Priority: 18.03.1998 BE 9800212 (71) Applicant: N.V. BEKAERT S.A. 8550 Zwevegem (BE)	(72) Inventors: HEIRBAUT, Guido B-9140 Temse (BE) VAN STEENLANDT, Wim B-9100 Sint-Niklaas (BE)